Compressor lubrication means



Feb. 16, 1965 M. Y. WARNER COMPRESSOR LUBRICATION MEANS Original FiledNov. 4. 1960 2 SheetsSheet 1 Feb. 16, 1965 M. Y. WARNER 3,169,696

COMPRESSGR LUBRICATIN MEANS Original Filed Nov. 4, 1960 2 SheetsSheet 2United Stats Patent O 3,169,696 COMPRESSOR LUBRCAIIN MEANS Milton Y.Warner, Evansvifle, Ind., assigner to Whirlpool Corporation, acorporation cf Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 67,361,Nov. 4, 1960. This application Jan. 10, 1963, Sen. No. 250,627 9 Claims.(Cl. 230-207) This invention relates to a rotary compressor.

This application comprises a continuation of my copending applicationSerial No. 67,361, filed November 4, 1960 for a Home Appliance, nowabandoned.

In rotary compressors of the type used for gascons refrigerant in arefrigeration system it is customary to provide a cylinder having acavity of circular cross section and a rotor of circular cross sectionretained Within this cylinder eccentrically thereof so that the rotor isinternally tangent to the cylinder at one point. Generally slidableblades are provided in the rotor having outer edges contacting thesurface of the cylinder so that the gas Will be compressed by trappingit between the moving blades and the cylinder.

One of the features of this invention is the provision of a rotarycompresser including means defining a cylindrical cavity having endsurfaces and a side surface, a rotor eccentrically in the cavity havingend surfaces engaging the end surfaces of the cavity, the rotor having aside surface eccentric to the side surface of the cavity defining acompression chamber for fluid therebetween, the rotor further having alubrication passage provided with an opening through one of the endsurfaces thereof and first pump means for centrifugally pumpinglubricant in the passage to the opening, means for rotating the rotor ina preselected direction, a supply of lubricant in communication with thelubricant centn'fugal pumping means during only a first preselectedportion of the rotation of the rotor whereby lubricant is centrifugallypumped through the luorcation passage to between the rotor and cavityend surfaces, and second pump means for forcibly pumping the lubricantfrom the lubrication passage during a second, subsequent preselectedportion of rotation of the rotor for delivering lubricant under pressureto between the rotor and cavity end surfaces.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a compressorincluding means defining a cylindrical cavity having end surfaces and aside surface, a rotor positioned eccentrically in the cavity having endsurfaces engaging the end surfaces of the cavity, the rotor having aside surface eccentric to the side surface of the cavity and definingtherewith a compression chamber for fluid, means forming a suction inletto the chamber, means forming an exit from the chamber, meansoperatively associated with the rotor for rotating the rotor in apreselected direction, a blade mounted in the rotor for radially inwardand outward movement, the blade having end edges engaging the cavity endsurfaces, a radially inner portion, and a radially outer portionslidably engaging the cavity side surface, and lubricant delivery meansincluding a first lubrication passage opening through one of the rotorend surfaces radially inwardly of the blade to receive the radiallyinner blade portion during its inward travel to forcibly pump lubricantfrom the passage to between the one rotor end surface and theconfronting cavity end surface, a second lubrication passage in therotor radially outwardly of the first lubrication passage and openingthrough one of the rotor end surfaces for delivering lubricant tobetween that rotor end surface and the confronting cavity end surface, alubricant sump in communication with the first and second passagesduring only a first preselected portion of the rotation of the rotorwhereby lubricant is centrifugally supplied to the 3,l59,6% PatenteelFeb. 16, 1965 ice first and second passages, and means connecting thefirst and second lubrication passages, the blade pumping lubricantthrough the connecting means from the first passage to the secondpassage during a second, subsequent preselected portion of rotation fordelivery of lubricant under pressure to between the rotor and cavity endsurfaces.

Other features and advantages of the invention Wiil ne apparent from thefollowing description of one embodiment taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a compressor embodying the inventionwith the outer casing shown in longitudinal section;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the compressor with the outer casing shown inlongitudinal section;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion ofFIGURE 3 and taken online 44 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 in FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 in FIGURE 4.

Referring to the draWings, the compressor 10 includes a housing 11having a top housing 12 and a bottom housing 13 joined together by afiuid-tight joint 14 which may be permanently sealed as by a weld 15.

Mounted within the housing 11 is a compressor subassembly including afront head 21, a cylinder plate 22, a rear head 23, and a rear headcover 24, tightly sealed by bolts passing through aligned holes in themembers and threadedly received in a threaded hole in front head 21.

The cylinder plate 22 is initially assembled to the front head 21 by aplurality of bolts 25a each passing through a hole in the cylinder plateand threadedly received in a threaded hole in the front head. Thecylinder plate 22 includes a cylinder side wall within which is receiveda rotor 31. The rotor 31 is fixed to a rotor shaft 32 passing verticallyupwardly and received in a bearing portion 33 of front head 21. Alubricating passage 34 in front head 21 is alongside shaft 32. The fronthead 21 has a lower surface 36, and the rear head 23 has an uppersurface 37, which together with the cylinder side wall 39 defines acylinder cavity 38. The rotor 31 has an upper end surface 40 and a lowerend surface 41 which closely engage end surfaces 36 and 37,respectively, with a sliding fit, and a cylindrical side surface 42.Rotor 31 is provided with a pair of outwardly extending slots 45, eachslidably receiving a blade 46. Each slot 45 terminates at its inner endin an under blade passage 47. The slots 45 and passages 47 open throughthe rotor end surfaces 40 and 41, and the blades 46 engage the endsurfaces 36 and 37 with a sliding fit.

An inlet opening 50 and an outlet opening 51 both communicate with thecylinder 38. A compression chamber 53 is defined by the blades 46, therotor side surfaces 42, and the cylinder side surfaces 30. As the rotor31 rotates opposite portions of side surfaces 42 alternately define aside of the compression chamber 53.

The rotor has a centrifugal lubricating system with diametricallyopposed openings 55 in the rotor bottom 41, and vertical passages 56with opposite ends opening through the rotor surfaces 49 and 41. Eachpair of openings 55 and passages 56 are interconnected by a slopedpassage 57;

A portion of the bottom housing 13 serves as an oil reservoir in whiehthe oil bas a level 6). An oil pickup tube 61 has an open bottom endcommunicating With the oil in the reservoir and an open upper endcommunicafing With a passage 62 through the rear head 23. The upper endof the passage 62 opens through the rear head end surface'37 and iseccentric with the eylindr side surface 39. The inner portion of rotorend surface 41 and cylinder end surface 37 is lubricated front passage62. During a portion of each revolution, as blade 45 is free to rnbveoutwardly in slot 45 the'opening 62 communicates With under bladepassages 47, and also with an opening' in the bottom of rotor 31 therebylubricating the outer portions of the rotorand cylinder end surfacesthrough passages 56. r

The'compressor further includes a motorhaving a stator assembly 65,including stator 66 and a top bumper 67 all fixed with respect to thefront head 2 by a plurality of bolts 63 each passingthrough an alignedhole in the top bumper 67, a slot in stator 66, and threaddly re-'ceivedin a threaded hole in front head 21. The motor' further includesan armature 79 and a fan 71 both fixed to rotor shaft 32. The fieldwindirigs of the stator are connected by lines 72 to a terminal block 73which is sealed to the top housing 12.

The motor. and compresser suo-assembly 23 are mounted between the topand the bottom of the housing 11. At' the bottom of the housing acompression spring 75 is received in a socket 76 in the rear lasad 23and engages a fiange on the oil pick-up' tiJne 61 to retain the tube inthe socket. The other end of the spring 75 is received by a sounddamperrer'77 Which isin turn received in a socket 78 in the housingbottom 13. At the upper end of the'housing a coil spring 30 rcceives aprotrusion 81 in the housing top assembly 12, and at its lower end isreceived by a sound dampener 82 whichin turn is received in a socket83,1n the top bumper 67.

An inlet nipple 85 opens 'through and*is fixed to the top housingassembly 12 for the passageof refrigerant gas into the housing. Agenerally L-shaped suction tube 85 has a free open upper end for draWingin refrigerant gas, and a lower open end received in a tapered coppersleeve 87. The tube 86 receives a steel washer 88 and is secured to thefront head 21 by a spring clip 39 having a portion engagingthe washer 88to maintain the suction tube in fiuidtight engagement With the fronthead. Tne loWer open end of the suction tube communicates with an inletchamber 953 in the front head 21. The inlet chamber 90 communicates Withthe cylinder inlet 5.

Within the cylinder plate 22, the cylinder outlet 51 communicatesthrough a passage With achamber 96. Secured in the chamber by a boit 97is check valve 98 and a muffler 99. Tire chambrer 96 is closed by aplate 1019 which is secured to the cylindr plate by bolrs MP1. Thechambrer 96 communicates through au opening 193 and other passages inthe rear head With an outlet fitting 1534 in the rear head. T he fitting134 communicates with tuoing 1G5 which extends one and three quartersturns about the compressor sub-assembly 26 and terminates in a nipple 1%sealed to the bottom housing assembly 13:. The tubing 165 is seeured tobottom housing 13 by. a spring clip 197. Thus, very littlevioration istransmitted from the compressor sub-assembly through the tubing to thehousing 11.

The oil openings 55 and back blade openings 47 communicate with eachother, as may best be seen in FIGURE 7. In additionto the lubrication ofadjacent surfaces 36 and 4, and adjacent surfaces 37and H, by thecentrifugal lubricating function of passages 5557, oil under pressure inthe back blade openings 47 is transmitted into vertical passage 56 aseach blade 46 moves inwardly in slot 45. With particular reference toFIGURES 4 and 6, the rotor shaft 34 is provided With diametrically'opposed arcuate notches immediately above and adjacent the rotor 31.Notches 110 each communicate with the back blade opening 47. In thefront head 21 the rotor shaft bearing surface 33 provided Withanarcuate'notch 111 opening through end surface 36 and communicatingwith lubricant passage 34. Once each revolution, as blade 46 is forcedinto slot 45,1helubricant behind the blad forces the blade into tightsealing engagement. With cylinder side surface 30 to retain thecompressed gas, and adjacent 'notch 11? in rotor shaft 32 communicatesWith uotch 111 in front head 22 for the passage of lubricant from theback blade opening 47 into the lubricaing slot 34 for lubricating therotor shaft 32 and bearing surface 33. An auxiliary passage fl2 in fronthead- 21 Communicates With the lubricting passage 34 and with theoutside of the front head for the passage of a portlon.of thelubricating oil in passage 34 directly back to the oil reservoir in thebottom hbusing 13.

The circular grooves 115 and 118 on the faces 'of the front and rearheads 21 and 23 serve t0 iritercept and collect the highi3ressure gaswhich tends to lea k radially inwardly through the clearance spacesbetween the top and bottom faces of the rotor 31 and the corresponding 7faces of the heads' 2]; and 23 that contain the grooves This leaking gasafter being collectd by the grooves 1115 and 118 is then vented directlyto the suctiorl inlet. This prevents theleaking gas from removinglubricant from the spaces. -It also prevents the high pressure gas fromreaching the low pressure oi1 inlet 62 Where the gas could shut offentirely or at least materially rednc the supply of oil to thecompresser. An lubricant picked up by the escaping high pressure gas issimilarly returned to. the refrigerant gas inlet area from Which itreturns to the cylinder ,38 and where it continues to lubricate themoving parts of the rotor and rotor bla'desand aso tends to seal againsthigh pressure gas leakage around the various surfaces of the blades.

Having described my invention as related to the embodiment shown in theaccompanving drawings, it is my intention that the invention be notlimited by any of the details of description, unless otherwisespecified, but

set out in the accompanving claims.

Ihe embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property orpriVilege is claimed is defined as follows:

1. A fluid compresser, comprising: means defiiring, a cylindrical cavityhaving end surfaces and a side surface; a rotor positioned eccentricaflyin said cavity having end surfaces engagirig said end surfaces of saidcavity, said rotor having a side surface eccentric to the side surfaceof said cavity anddefining'therewifila compression chamber for fiuid;means fotming a suction inlet to said chamber;

means forming an exit from said chamber; means operatively associatedWith said rotor for rotating said*rotor in a preselected direction; ablade mounted in said rotor for radially inward and outward movement,said blade having end*edges engaging said cavity end surfaces, aradiall'y iriner portion, and a radiallybuter portion slidably engagingsaid cavity side surface; and lubricant delivery means including a firstdubrication 7 passage opeuing through one of said rotor end surfacesradially inwardl of said blade to receive said rdially inner bladeportiondun ing its inward travel to forcibly pump lubricant from saidpassageto betWeen said one rotor end surface and the,con frontingcavity, end surface, a second luorcaon passage in said rotor radiallyoutwardly of said firstl ubrication passage and opening through one ofsaid rotorend surfaces for delivering lubricant to between that rotorend surface and the confronting cavity end surface, a lubricant sump inCommunication With saidfirst passage during only a first preseectedportion of the rotaton of said rotor, and means connecting said firstand second lubrication passages including an outwardly eX tending thirdpassage arranger! to pump the lubricaut centrifugally during said firstpreselected portion of the rotatien of said rotor, said blade pumpinglubricant through said connecting means from said first passage ro saidsecond passage during a second, subsequent preselectcd portion ofrotation for delivery of lubricant under pressure to between said rotorand cavity end surfaces.

2. The fluid compressor of claim 1 including means for collecting fluidescaping from said chamber to between said end surfaces of the cavityand rotor, and conveying said collected fluid therefrom to -therebypreciude interference of said escaping fluid With the luorcant deiiverymeans.

3. The fluid compressor of claim 1 Wherein said second lubricant passageis positioned circumferentiafly behind said rotor blade in saidpreseiected direction of rotation.

4. A fluid compressor, comprising: means defining a cylindrical cavityhaving end surfaces and a side surface, a rotor cccentricaliy in saidcavity haw'ng end surfaces engaging said end surfaces of said cavity,said rotor having a side surface eccentric to tire side surface of saidcavity defining a compression chamber for fluid therebetween, said rotorfurther having a lubrication passage provided With an opening throughone of said end surfaces thereof and first pump means for centrifugallypumping lubricant in said passage to said opening; means for rotatingsaid rotor in a preselected direction; a supply of lubricant incommunication With said lubricant centrifugal pumping means during onlya first preselected portion of the rotation of said rotor wherebylubricant is centrifugally pumped through said lubrication passage -tobetween said rotor and cavity end surfaces; second pump means forforcibiy pumping the iubricant from said lubrication passage during asecond, subsequent preseiected portion of rotation of said rotor fordeiivering iubricant under pressure to between said rotor and cavity endsurfaces.

5. A fluid compresser, comprising: means defining a rotor cavity havingend surfaces and a side surface, a rotor eccentrically in said cavityhaving end surfaces engaging said end surfaces of said cavity, saidrotor having a side surface eccentric to the side surface of said cavitydefining a compression chamber for fluid therebetween,

said rotor further having a Iubrication passage opening through one ofsaid end surfaces thereof; means for rotating said rotor in apreselected direction about an axis; first pump means in said rotordefining a delivery passage extending anguiarly to the rotor axis andcommunicating between said supply and said lubrication passage duringonly a first preselected portion of the rotation of said rotor, saidfirst pump means centrifugally pumping lubricant from said supply tosaid lubrication passage and from said lubrication passage to betweensaid rotor and cavity end surfaces during said first portion of therotation; and second pump means for forcibily pumping the lubricanc fromsaid lubrication passage during a second, subsequent preselected portionof rotation of said rotor for delivering lubricant under pressure tobetweeu said rotor and cavity end surfaces.

6. The fluid compresser of claim 5 wherein said cavity is axiailyvertical and said end surfaces comprise top and bottom surfaces.

7. The fluid compressor of claim 5 wherein said second pumping meanscomprises a b lade carried by said rotor and slidingly engaging saidcavity means.

8. The fluid compresser of claim 5 wherein said delivery passage extendsat an angle less than to the axis of the rotor.

9. The fluid compresser of claim 5 wherein said rotor axis is verticaland said delivery passage extends upwardly from its radially innermostportion.

Refereuces Cied in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,967,033 Lipman July 17, 1934 2,152,056 Kenney Max. 28, 1939 3,049,285Doeg Aug. 14, 1962 3,075,686 Steinhagen Jan. 29, 1963 3,082,937 TuckerMar. 26, 1963

1. A FLUID COMPRESSOR, COMPRISING: MEANS DEFINING A CYLINDRICAL CAVITYHAVING END SURFACES AND A SIDE SURFACE; A ROTOR POSITIONED ECCENTRICALLYIN SAID CAVITY HAVING END SURFACES ENGAGING SAID END SURFACES OF SAIDCAVITY, SAID ROTOR HAVING A SIDE SURFACE ECCENTRIC TO THE SIDE SURFACEOF SAID CAVITY AND DEFINING THEREWITH A COMPRESSION CHAMBER FOR FLUID;MEANS FORMING A SUCTION INLET TO SAID CHAMBER; MEANS FORMING AN EXITFROM SAID CHAMBER; MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ROTOR FORROTATING SAID ROTOR IN A PRESELECTED DIRECTION; A BLADE MOUNTED IN SAIDROTOR FOR RADIALLY INWARD AND OUTWARD MOVEMENT, SAID BLADE HAVING ENDEDGES ENGAGING SAID CAVITY END SURFACES, A RADIALLY INNER PORTION, AND ARADIALLY OUTER PORTION SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID CAVITY SIDE SURFACE; ANDLUBRICANT DELIVERY MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST LUBRICATION PASSAGE OPENINGTHROUGH ONE OF SAID ROTOR END SURFACES RADIALLY INWARDLY OF SAID BLADETO RECEIVE SAID RADIALLY INNER BLADE PORTION DURING ITS INWARD TRAVEL TOFORCIBLY PUMP LUBRICANT FROM SAID PASSAGE TO BETWEEN SAID ONE ROTOR ENDSURFACE AND THE CONFRONTING CAVITY END SURFACE, A SECOND LUBRICATIONPASSAGE IN SAID ROTOR RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID FIRST LIBRICATIONPASSAGE AND OPENING THROUGH ONE OF SAID ROTOR END SURFACES FORDELIVERING LUBRICANT TO BETWEEN THAT ROTOR END SURFACE AND THECONFRONTING CAVITY END SURFACE, A LUBRICANT SUMP IN COMMUNICATION WITHSAID FIRST PASSAGE DURING ONLY A FIRST PRESELECTED PORTION OF THEROTATION OF SAID ROTOR, AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECONDLUBRICATION PASSAGES INCLUDING AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING THIRD PASSAGEARRANGED TO PUMP THE LUBRICANT CENTRIFUGALLY DURING SAID FIRSTPRESELECTED PORTION OF THE ROTATION OF SAID ROTOR, SAID BLADE PUMPINGLUBRICANT THROUGH SAID CONNECTING MEANS FROM SAID FIRST PASSAGE TO SAIDSECOND PASSAGE DURING A SECOND, SUBSEQUENT PRESELECTED PORTION OFROTATION FOR DELIVERY OF LUBRICANT UNDER PRESSURE TO BETWEEN SAID ROTORAND CAVITY END SURFACES.